Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
James Martin, S.J.August 27, 2018

Subscribe to “The Examen” for free on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to “The Examen” for free on Google Play

Join our Patreon Community

We’ve been talking in the last few weeks about what happens when you pray. So far we’ve talked about experiencing emotions and having insights. Today I’d like to talk about memories. This is one of the most powerful of all experiences in prayer, but it’s often ignored.  You may be asking God for help in your life, let’s say during a moment of real stress. Suddenly you have this memory of a time when God was helping you. Where do you think that memory comes from? Or you may be feeling lonely and suddenly have a memory of a friend who was kind to you recently.  Where do you think that comes from? A few years ago on retreat, I was wondering about God’s love for me, and suddenly, out of the blue, I remembered a particular time from my childhood, which gave me great joy. I was moved not simply by the memory but by what was happening. God was, as I saw it, entering into my prayer and saying, in essence, “Remember this.” It was a beautiful gift.  Be open to such gifts. Be open to the gift of memory, from God.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn’t ordered a set of cassocks from the two best-known papal tailors.
Papabile: How do conclave watchers come up with their lists of the next pope—and should we trust them?
Inside the VaticanMay 01, 2025
The people of God see the bishop of Rome as a teacher, but they also unquestionably see him as a father.
J.D. Long GarcíaMay 01, 2025
Since the death of Pope Francis, lists of his possible successors have proliferated on social media and in newspapers. Should you trust them?
Colleen DulleMay 01, 2025